Date

12-2021

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Robert Wayne Stacy

Keywords

End Times, Eschatology, Pretribulation, Midtribulation, Rapture, Second Coming

Disciplines

Christianity

Abstract

The evangelical church cannot fulfill its mission to facilitate the return of Jesus unless its membership’s studies eschatology. Too many relegate biblical prophecies to the past without recognizing their fulfillment in the here and now. This study investigates the contemporary belief structure of church members and aims to develop an effective corrective measure in order to improve the spiritual life of its members while advancing the church’s central mission of evangelizing. This study aims to determine what members know about church viewpoints on eschatology and deliver an educational remedy. The 15-person sample received a six-week course on eschatology developed and administered by the research project’s author. Multiple-choice questions for each week were analyzed in order to compare what participants knew and felt before and after being introduced to relevant topics. Written responses showed that studying the components of eschatology heightened faith and the ability to live a more fulfilling life by enabling the interpretation of current events through an eschatological lens. Because eschatology was no longer relegated to biblical prophecies already fulfilled, the participants increased their ability to live a more fulfilling life while anticipating the return of Jesus Christ. The results of the small sample could have a large impact on the church. Forty percent increased relevant knowledge and 100 percent of participants reevaluated their view about the imminence of the Rapture and were able to understand contemporary events as fulfillment of ancient prophecies. Upon completion of the intervention, all participants agreed that they would live a more ethical Christ-centered life while anticipating the Second Coming. The results suggest that evangelical churches should enhance the teaching of eschatology and refer to the author’s educational materials for intervention efforts.

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